Kreimeier named Ark. County Family and Consumer Science specialist

Wednesday

Jan 9, 2013 at 12:03 PMJan 9, 2013 at 12:18 PM

Kreimeier said her emphasis is community nutrition because she loves working with the general public whether it be for child nutrition, exercise and sport nutrition, general adult nutrition or geriatric nutrition.

Bill Shrum, bshrum@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Allison Kreimeier, a native of the Grand Prairie and a graduate of Stuttgart High School, has been the new Family and Consumer Science Specialist at the Arkansas County Health Unit since September of 2012.

Kreimeier said her emphasis is community nutrition because she loves working with the general public whether it be for child nutrition, exercise and sport nutrition, general adult nutrition or geriatric nutrition.

"It is really interesting and nutrition is vital to our health and living a high quality of life," Kreimeier said.

"I plan to obtain my license as a registered dietitian within the next few years to move up in the company," Kreimeier said. "I want to influence others and change lives."

Kreimeier said she enjoys working with prenatal and pediatric clients at the Arkansas County Health Unit because it is a crucial time for growth and development in a child’s life.

"I work with the Women, Infant and Children Special Supplemental Program throughtout the southeast region of Arkansas." Kreimeier said.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is a special nutrition program in Arkansas administered by the Arkansas Department of Health through a grant provided by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). WIC provides:

• Supplement foods high in nutrients during time of critical growth and development.

• Nutrition education designed to improve dietary habits and health status and to emphasize the relationship between nutrition and health.

• Information, support and encouragement for breastfeeding.

• Referrals for other health services.

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need and have an income at or below WIC guidelines or receive Medicaid ARKids, TEA or SNAP (food stamps).

"I get to apply my knowledge from school to the working world," Kreimeier said.The counties in her southeast region are Arkansas, Desha, Prairie and a portion of Chicot County.

Kreimeier graduated in May from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics/Nutrition. She is currently working on her Master of Science degree in Nutrition.

Her hobbies are running, sports, volunteering, crafts, working summer camps and traveling.For more information on the Family and Consumer Science Specialist, contact the administrator of the Arkansas County Health Unit at (870) 673-1609.